Cigar lighter having retractable sleeve



Jan. 27, 1959 R. P. BARNARD CIGAR LIGHTER HAVING RETRACTABLE SLEEVE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1957 IN VEN T OR.

ATTORNE).

Jan. 27, 1959 R. P. BARNARD 1,

CIGAR LIGHTER HAVING RETRACTABLE SLEEVE Filed July 31, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

CIGAR LIGHTER HAVHNG RETRACTABLE SLEEVE Richard P. Barnard, Franklin,Mich, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, acorporation Delaware Application .luly 31, 1957, Serial No. 675,463

16 Claims. (Cl 219--32) The present invention relates to cigar lighterassemblies of the type comprising a holding case into which an ignitingunit is removably insertable and, more particularly, in which theheating element carried by the igniting unit is normally recessed withina protective shield but may be placed in an exposed position withrespect to the shield for lighting cigars and pipes.

Cigar lighter assemblies of the type to which reference is herein madenormally include a substantially cylindrical holding case or shellhaving a deep well or cavity into which an igniting unit is removablyinsertable. The holding case is adapted to be supported from a panel,such as the dashboard or instrument panel of a vehicle, in a well knownmanner. The holding case and igniting unit normally include,respectively, fixed and movable contact and latch members forestablishing an igniting circuit from a suitable source of electricalenergy, such as a vehicle battery, through the heating element carriedby the igniting unit to ground. Cooperating means are provided on theigniting unit and holding case for retaining the former in a normal orholding position within the case when not in use. When it is desired toestablish an igniting circuit to bring the heating element to a propertemperature for use, the igniting unit is pushed into the holding caseuntil such time as the respective latch and contact members are engagedto establish the igniting circuit. Moreover, one of the latch membersincludes temperature responsive means which will automatically disengageupon the heating element reaching the desired temperature to release theigniting unit which is then returned to the normal or holding positionby some spring means.

Until relatively recent times, the heating element was carried in anexposed position on the igniting unit. As a result, the user of such alighter often sulfered burns to his person or clothing or to theupholstery of the car by reason of passing the lighter among vehicleoccupants or dropping the lighter upon their clothing or the upholsteryof the car. Accordingly, it was considered desirable to provide a sleeveor shield which would surround and project beyond the heating element ofthe igniting unit for the primary purpose of catching any loose ashes orembers falling from the cigarette being ignited, and to completelyshield the heating element so that the aforementioned burns could notoccur. Such a construction including an ash-catching and protectiveshield may be seen in the copending application of Clarence H. Jorgensenand Donald G. Dening, Serial No. 375,318, filed August 20, 1953, andassigned to the assignee of this invention.

Although lighters manufactured according to the teachings of theJorgensen et a1. application have met with great commercial success,they are not completely versatile inasmuch as the protective shield orsleeve precludes the lighting of pipes and normal size cigars since theheating element is recessed within the protective hield to aconsiderable extent. Therefore, in order taste this lack of versatilityin such lighters, it is atent considered desirable to so construct theigniting unit of a cigar lighter so that a normally recessed andshielded heating element may be exposed beyond the protective shield atthe will of the user thereof for the purpose of lighting cigars andpipes, while the shield may act as an ash-catching and protective deviceas in previous constructions.

in implementing the foregoing concepts into a practical and efficientlighter construction, it is not believed to be completely feasiblemerely to provide the aforedescribed igniting unit with a sleeve orshield which may be manually retracted to expose the heating element. Inusing such units, the handling knob thereof is usually grasped betweenone or more fingers and the thumb of one hand, the other hand beingoccupied with steering the vehicle where the driver thereof, as isusually the case, is using the lighter. Thus, a manually retractableshield necessitates a groping action by the remaining fingers of the onehand available for handling the igniting unit; that is, the remainingfingers of this available hand must rather clumsily reach forward tograsp such a shield which ordinarily results in actually shifting theigniting unit from a normal grasp employed in lighting a cigarette.Moreover, the mechanics of handling an igniting unit in this manner mayoften result in dropping the unit, and most certainly will distract thevehicle operators attention from the road even if he possesses therequired manual dexterity to handle such a lighter construction.

it is, therefore, a general object and feature of this invention toprovide a cigar lighter assembly of the type aforementioned whichincludes an igniting unit having a heating element normally shielded andrecessed within a substantially cylindrical sleeve, but which heatingelement may be adroitly placed in position relative to said shield as toexpose the former for the purpose of lighting a cigar or pipe.

Moreover, it is another object and feature of this invention to providea cigar lighter igniting unit comprising relatively axially shiftableheating element and protective shield members, and mechanical operatingmeans for shifting said members relative to each other whereby thenormally shielded element may be exposed as desired by the user thereof.

It is still another object and feature of this invention to provide theigniting unit aforementioned with operating means readily accessiblymounted in the handling knob of the igniting unit, whereby the vehicleoperator may conveniently expose the heating element by manipulation ofthe fingers normally employed to handle the unit.

According to another object and feature of this invention, theaforementioned operating means comprises a resilient drive to expose theheating element upon manipulation of the fingers normally employed inhandling the unit, and which resilient drive will always urge theheating element to a shielded position if the fingers are not somanipulated whereby the element will be shielded if accidentally droppedor is being passed among numerous users.

it is still a more specific object and feature of this invention toprovide an igniting unit with operating means for exposing a normallyrecessed or shielded heating element as aforedescribed, which operatingmeans includes resilient drive means which serves the additional purposeof acting as an ejection means for projecting the igniting unit to thenormal or holding position for removal for use upon breaking of theigniting circuit.

Yet more specifically, it is an object and feature of this invention toprovide an operating means for exposing a normally shielded heatingelement as aforedescribed which includes opposed actuators located inthe lighter handling knob for movement radially or norarness .pos'itionin which the igniting circuit is open;

Figure 2 is .a longitudinal view,.partly broken away and in section, ofthe igniting unit of Figure 1 showing the'position of the parts afterremoval of the unit for use and retraction'of .the shielding sleeve toexpose theheating element;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line of Figure '1 'Figure 4is a longitudinal view, partly broken away and .in section, showinganother form of this invention;

Figure 5 is another longitudinal cross sectional view showing stillanother form of this invention in which the heating element isreciprocated for exposure;

Figure -6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the igniting unit ofFigure 5 showing the disposition of the parts with the heating elementexposed; and

Figure'7 is across sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1 through '3,there is shown a cigar lighter assembly comprising a substantiallytubular holding case or shell 2 having the usual deep well or cavity 4adapted to removably receive the igniting unit 6. The open end of theholding case is provided with the usual annular radially outwardlyprojecting flange 3 for seating against a support panel 1%). An outerlocking sleeve 12 is threadably secured at 14 to the holding case 2 tomount the latter on the panel 10, as is the usual practice.

The specific details of construction of the holding case 2 in and ofthemselves are of no particular consequence to an understanding andpractice of this invention. "Sufiice it to say that the holding case mayinclude'a temperature responsive fixed contact and latch member having,for example, bimetallic temperature responsive fingers 1'6 which aresecured to a current conducting stud 18 surrounded by suitableinsulating washers such as shown at '29 and mounted within the rearmostend of the holding case. The terminal me, ber22 is attached to the stud18 and is adapted to be connected to any suitable source of electricalenergy such as a vehicle-battery.

The ignitingunito includes a handling knob 24, which may be formed ormolded from a plastic, which has a hollow cavity 26 formed therein.centrally of the knob within the cavity 26 and projects forwardly ashort distance and terminates in an annular flange "30 A heating elementassembly includes the usual coiled heating element 32 electricallyconnected and secured to a rod 34 which has its rearmost end threadablysecured in the boss 28, the coiled element also being electricallyconnected to the member 36. The substantially cup-shaped m ember.36forms a movable contact and latch member for the igniting circuit and issecured between a pair of insulating Washers 38 firmly-seated betweenthe shoulder 4-0 formed on the rod 34 and a spacing and insulatingwasher or plug 42 seated againstanother insulating washer 44 abutting asecond shoulder 46 on the rod. It will be noted that the outer peripheryof the insulating washerl is spaced slightly inwardly of the inner wallof the knob 24 definingthe cavity'26. Although the washer 44 is shown tobe preferably-positioned substantially at the forward end of the knob24, it'will be apparent from the de- A boss 23 is formed I 4 scriptionwhich follows that this washer may be located in other positions axiallyof the cavity 26.

A cylindrical shield or sleeve 52 surrounds and normally projects beyondthe cup 36 and heating element 32. Any desired number of resilientstraps 54, herein shown to be two in number and opposed to each other.are secured as by brazing to a radial flange 56 on the rear of thesleeve 52 and extend past theperiphcry of the washer 44 along .the innerwall of the knob 24. Locking fingers 58 are struck from the rearmost endof the straps 54 and are seated behind the flange 30 formed on the boss28, thereby firmly securing the straps and the shield 52 relative to thehandling knob.

Two opposed apertures 60 are formed opposite each other and through theside wall of the knob 24. The radially depressable buttons 62 aremounted within these apertures and each includes a pair of radiallyinwardly depending spaced guide legse al embracing an arcuate bearingsurface 66 for engaging an intermediate portion of the respective straps54. Suitable means such as the snap rings 63 retain the actuatingbuttons 62 within the apertures 60. It will be noted that with'theigniting unit in the normal or holding position within the holding case2 as shown in Fig. 1, the respective straps 54 are slightly inwardlybowed for a purpose which will appear more fully hereinafter.

Cooperating annular grooves 76 or other suitable means are provided onthe .walls ofthe holding case 2 and sleeve'52 to retain the ignitingunit 6 in the normal holding position shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows the disposition of the holding case and the igniting unitwith the latter in the normal holding position in which it-is retainedwhen not in use, or after the element has been heated and it is readyfor removal for use. In this position, the sleeve 52 projects beyond theforward end of the cup 36 and heating element 32 and is locked to theholding case 2 by means of the cooperable detent means 64. In thisposition, the straps 54 engage the arcuate bearing surface 66 0f theactuating buttons 62 and are slightly inwardly bowed as aforedescribed.If it is then desired to use the lighter, the handling knob '24 ispushed to cause engage ment of the fixed contact and latch members'lfiwithin the contact cup 36. During this operation, the cooperable lockingor detent means 64 retains the protective sleeve 52 in the positionshown in Fig. 1 thereby'resulting in relative axial reciprocationbetween theilatter and the contact cup 36 until the latter is latched inthe'fixed latch 16. In pushing the contact cup 36 into this position,the slightly inwardly bowed straps 54 flex further inwardly toaccommodate this movement. The outer periphery of the washer 44 acts asa fulcrum in order to provide a maximum amount of throw'for' the sleeve52 relative tothe element 32.

With the respective latch members. engaged, an igniting circuit isestablished through the terminal "22, stud 18, the contact members 16and 36 and the heating element 32 to ground in a manner well known tothose skilled in the art. After the heating element has been brought tothe desired operating temperature, the fingers 16 of the temperatureresponsive latch member spread apart thereby releasing the movablecontact'cup 36. At this time, due to the inherent resiliency of thestraps 5'4, the igniting unit handling knob is projected outwardly'fromthe holding case to the position shown in Fig. 1. The unit may then beremoved for use at which time the heating element will be shielded bythe sleeve 52 for protective purposes asaforementioned.

However, if it is desired to use the unit to light a pipe or cigar, theuser of the lighter radially inwardly depresses the actuating buttons 62which cause inward flexing of the straps 54 about the outer periphery ofthe washer 44 to cause the sleeve 52 to be retracted to the positionshown in Fig."2. It is particularly significant to'note that depression"of the actuating buttons 62 may arness be accomplished by using thefingers or finger and thumb normally employed in handling such alighter.

A modification of this form of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. In thisform of the invention, the central boss 28 projects somewhat furthertoward the forward end of the handling knob 24' so as to provide anannular cavity 25 radially oppositely disposed from the apertures socontaining the actuating buttons 62. Moreover, the periphery of theannular flange 3d formed at the forward end of the boss 28' is slightlyradially inwardly spaced from the inner wall or" the knob 24-. Thearcuate bearing surfaces as on the radially depressable actuator buttons 62 have a slightly steeper angle at their forward edges toaccommodate the relatively sharp bend in the straps 3 as they are movedabout the outer periphery of the flange as and somewhat collapsed withinthe annular cavity 25. Thus, depression of the buttons 62 will engagethe straps to the rear of the annular flange 3d to fold or compress thestrap within the annular cavity thereby retracting the sleeve 52 to thedotted line position shown in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 5 through 7, another form of the invention is shown in whichthe heating element may be reciprocated relative to a fixed protectiveshield to expose the former. Referring to these figures, there is shownthe holding case '72 and igniting unit 73 removably insertable therein.The aforedescribed fixed bimetallic temperature responsive contact andlatch member or fingers 74 are secured to a current conducting stud 75mounted within the holding case 72 and carrying a terminal '76 as in theprevious embodiment. However, in this form of the invention, it isconvenient to include an ejection apparatus in holding case whichincludes the ejection cup 77 having an annular shoulder 72% thereonadapted to engage a cooperating stop surface formed on the periphery ofan insulating Washer secured to the stud 75 as is clearly shown in Fig.5. Moreover, an ejection spring 80 acts between the base of the holdingcase 72 and a shoulder 81 formed on the ejection cup 77.

The igniting unit 73 includes a handling knob 82 which may be molded orotherwise formed from plastic as desired, which unit includes a centralbore 83 therethrough and a countersunk portion 34 at the open endthereof. An element shield 85 has a portion of reduced diameter firmlyseated within the countersunk portion 84 of the handling knob. Aninsulating and hearing plug 86 is firmly secured within the smalldiameter portion of the shield 85 for a purpose to appear more fullyhereinafter.

The heating element assembly includes a coiled heating element 87electrically connected to the surrounding movable cup and contact member38 and to an actuating or operating rod 39. The rod 89 extends throughbearing plug and the central bore 553 in the handling knob. A cross bore9%} is formed at the rearward end of the knob and intersects thelongitudinal central bore 83.

A pair of opposed radially depressable actuator buttons M are mountedwithin the cross bore 9d for reciprocation therein. An annular shoulder92 on each of the respective buttons is adapted to seat against suitablemeans such as the snap rings 93 to limit their movement outward of thecross bore under the influence of a coiled spring 94 which extendsbetween and abuts the respective actuator buttons.

The plates 94 formed on each of the respective buttons are adapted fortelescoping sliding engagement with each other. Each plate includes anelongate slot @5 and 36 having major axes at an angle to each other asshown in Figs. 5 and 6. it will be apparent from these figures that asthe buttons 91 are depressed inwardly, the area of registry 97 of theslots will move axially relative to the knob 82. The operating rod 39which carries the heat ing element at its forward end includes aninturned terminal po Q8 which extends through the registered portions 1e slots 95 and 96. 'i

The igniting unit is shown in the normal or holding position in Fig. 5in which the annular groove or detent means 99 formed on the holdingcase, or resilient fingers if desired, will seat behind an annularshoulder tilt) formed at the forward portion of the handling unit knobto retain the latter in the holding position. in this position, thefixed and movable latch members 74 and 88 are not engaged, and theforward edge of the protective shield 85 abuts the forward edge of theejector cup 77. If it is desired to bring the heating element to anoperattemperature, the knob 82 is depressed thereby resulting indepression of the ejector spring and axial shifting movement of theejector cup 77 until the latch members are engaged to establish theigniting circuit.

After the heating element has been brought to the operating temperature,the temperature responsive fingers 74 will spread thereby releasing theigniting unit and resulting in the latter being ejected to a normal orholding position by the ejection apparatus, the annular groove or detentmeans 99 naturally limiting ejecting movement of the igniting unit byengagement with the annular shoulder 10th.

Thereafter, the igniting unit may be removed for use in the usualmanner, the protective shield 35 projecting beyond the heating element87 to protect the user thereof and the upholstery of the car from burns.

However, if it is desired to expose the heating element for the purposesaforementioned, the fingers normally employed in grasping the handlingknob will depress the actuating buttons 91 which will result in the areaof registry 97 of the elongate slots 5 and 96 moving forwardly relativeto the handling knob. Inasmuch as the terminal end 98 of the operatingrod 89 is mounted through these slots, the rod will be projectedforwardly with respect to the sleeve until it reaches the position shownin Fig. 6.

Therefore, it will be seen that I have provided a cigar lighter assemblyincluding operating mechanism for relatively axially shifting a heatingelement with respect to its protective shield whereby the former may beselectively exposed for lighting cigars and pipes. In one form of theinvention, the heating element is axially fixedly secured with thehandling knob while the protective shield or sleeve is adapted to beretracted for this purpose. In another form of the invention, theprotective shield or sleeve is axially fixedly secured to the handlingknob, while operating means is provided with respect to the heatingelement to shift it axially with respect to the sleeve for the purposeof exposing in either embodiment, it will be apparent that the vehicleoperator or any other user may conveniently expose the heating elementmerely by depressing the respective actuator buttons with the thumb andfinger or fingers normally employed in handling the lighter knob; thatis, it is unnecessary to use the other hand to manually retract theshield or, in the case of a vehicle operator who must keep one hand onthe wheel, without clumsily attempting to use still other fingers toreach forward on the unit to retract the shield. Moreover, andparticularly with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 3,the operating mechanism for exposing the heating element also performsthe function of an ejection device for returning the igniting unit tothe holding position after the heating element has reached the desiredtemperature thereby eliminating the need for additional ejection meanssuch as shown in the other major embodiment.

The structures shown in the drawings have been selected merely forillustrative purposes, and it is understood that the invention is notlimited thereby but only by the scope of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, anexposable heating element assembly carried by said knob, said assemblycomprising a heating element substantially axially aligned with saidknob, a shield surrounding and normally projecting beyond said heatingelement, means connected to said assembly to expose said element beyondsaid shield, said means comprising actuating mechanism in said handlingknob operable normal to the longitudinal axis of the latter whereby theexposing movement is in substantial axial alignment with the knob axis.

2. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heatingelement carried by said knob substantially axially aligned with thelatter, a sleeve carried by said knob and surrounding said element andnormally projecting forwardly of the latter, operating means forreciprocating said sleeve and element relative to each other to exposethe latter beyond said sleeve, said means comprising oppositely disposedradially depressable actuators mounted in said handling knob whereby theexposing movement is in substantial axial alignment with the knob axis.

3. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heating.element fixed to and carried forwardly of said knob, a retractablesleeve surrounding said element, said sleeve normally projecting beyondsaid element, operating means for retracting said sleeve to expose saidelement, said means comprising a radially depressable actuator mountedwithin said knob and opcratively connected to said sleeve.

4. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heatingelement fixed to and carried forwardly of said knob, a retractablesleeve surrounding said element, said .sleeve normally projecting beyondsaid element, operating means for retracting said sleeve to expose saidelement, said means comprising a flexible strap having one portionthereof operatively secured to said sleeve and another portion securedto said knob, and an actuator mounted Within said knob for engagementwith said strap.

5. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heatingelement fixed to and carried forwardly of said knob, a retractablesleeve surrounding said element, said sleeve normally projecting beyondsaid do ment, operating means for retracting said sleeve to expose saidelement, said means comprising a plurality of flexible straps havingspaced portions thereof respectively operatively secured to said sleeveand said knob, and a plurality of externally accessible radiallydepressable actuators mounted within said knob for engagement with saidflexible straps at a point spaced from said portions.

6. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heatingelement fixed to and carried forwardly of said knob, a retractablesleeve surrounding said ele ment, said sleeve normally projecting beyondsaid element, operating means for retracting said sleeve to expose saidelement, said means comprising a plurality of flexible straps having theends thereof operatively secured re spectively to said sleeve. and knob,and a plurality of externally accessible radially depressable actuatorsmounted within said knob for engagement with said flexible strapsintermediate the ends thereof.

7. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob having acavity therein, a heating element spaced forwardly from and fixed tosaid knob, a retractable sleeve surrounding said element and normallyprojecting forwardly of the latter, operating means for retracting saidsleeve to expose said element, said means comprising an actuatorradially depressable through the Wall of said knob into said cavity, anda flexible strap operatively connected to said sleeve and locked withinsaid knob for engagement with said depressable actuator.

8. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob having acavity therein, a heating element spaced forwardly from and fixed tosaid knob, a retractable sleeve surrounding said element and normallyprojecting forwardly of the latter, operating means for retracting saidsleeve to exposesaid element, said means comprising a a plurality ofactuators radially depressable through the wall of said knob into saidcavity, and a plurality of flexible strap-s operatively connected tosaid sleeve and locked within said knob for engagement with saiddepressable actuators, said actuators being engageable with said strapsforwardly of the locked portion of the latter.

9. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob having acavity therein, a heating element spaced forwardly from and fixed tosaid knob, a retractable sleeve surrounding said element and normallyprojecting forwardly of the latter, operating means for reciprocatingsaid sleeve rearwardly to expose said element, said mean comprising aplurality of flexible straps operatively secured to said sleeve,openings in said knob radially outwardly spaced from the axis of thelatter through which said straps extend into said cavity, means forlocking the rearmost ends of said straps within said knob, and aradially depressable actuator means mounted on said knob and engageablewith said straps for flexing the lat- 10. A cigar lighter igniting unitcomprising a handling knob having a cavity therein, means including awall memher having portions of its periphery radially inwardly spacedfrom said knob within said cavity forming openings into said cavity, aheating element spaced forwardly of said openings and fixed to saidknob, a retractable sleeve surrounding said element and normallyprojecting forwardly of the latter, operating means for reciprocatingsaid sleeve rearwardly to expose said element, said means comprising aplurality of flexible straps operatively secured to said sleeve andextending through said openings into said cavity, means for locking therearmost ends of said straps within said knob, and oppositely disposedradially depressable actuators mounted on said knob and engageable witheach of said straps for flexing the latter about the peripheral portionsof said wall member.

11. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob having acavity therein, a forwardly extending projection formed substantiallycoaxial with said knob within the cavity of the latter, said projectionterminating at its forward end in an annular flange slightly inwardlyspaced from the interior wall of said knob surrounding said cavity, aheating element spaced forwardly of and operatively secured to saidknob, a retractable sleeve mounted for axial shifting movement on saidknob and normally surrounding said element and projecting forwardlythereof, operating means for reciprocating said sleeve rearwardly ofsaid element to expose the latter, said means comprising a plurality offlexible straps operatively secured to said sleeve and extending throughsaid cavity against the interior wall or" said knob, said strapsterminating in an inwardly struck portion locked behind said flange, anda plurality of radially depressable actuators mounted on said knob foroperative engagement with said straps to the rear of said flange.

12. A cigar lighter assembly comprising a holding case having an openend, an igniting unit comprising a handling knob having a cavitytherein, a heating element spaced forwardly from and secured to saidknob, a retractable sleeve surrounding said element and normallyprojecting forwardly of the latter, engageable contact and latch memberscarried respectively by said case and igniting unit to establish anigniting circuit through said element, said members being automaticallyreleasable upon said heating element reaching a predeterminedtemperature, cooperating locking means on said case and sleeve forretaining said unit within said case with said circuit open, resilientmeans connecting said sleeve to said knob whereby said sleeve may moveaxially relative to said element as said latch members are engaged, saidmeans comprising a plurality of flexible straps extending axially alongthe innerwall of said knob defining the cavity therein, said straps bangslightly in- 9 wardly bowed with said sleeve in the extended position,and a plurality of radially inwardly depressable actuators mounted insaid knob for engagement with said straps to retract said sleeve.

13. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a sleevefixedly secured to said knob and extending forwardly therefrom, aheating element mounted in a normal recessed position within saidsleeve, operating means for exposing said element by shifting the latteraxially relative to and beyond said sleeve and knob, said meanscomprising a radially depressable actuator positioned Within said knoband operatively connected to said element whereby the exposing movementis in substantial axial alignment with the knob axis.

14. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a sleevefixedly secured to said knob and extending forwardly therefrom, aheating element mounted in a normal recessed position within saidsleeve, means for projecting said element axially of and beyond saidsleeve whereby said element is substantially exposed, said meanscomprising a pair of opposed actuators radially depressably mounted inthe side wall of said knob, each of said actuators being operativelyconnected to said element whereby the exposing movement is insubstantial axial alignment with the knob axis.

15. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a sleevefixedly secured to said knob and extending forwardly therefrom, aheating element mounted in a normal recessed position within saidsleeve, means for projecting said element axially of said sleeve wherebysaid element is substantially exposed, said means comprising anoperating rod seemed to said element and 10 projecting rearwardly intosaid knob, a pair of opposed actuators radially depressably mounted inthe side wall of said knob, each of said actuators having elongate slotstherein the major axes of which are at an angle to each other, and saidrod having a portion extending through said slots.

16. A cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a handling knob, a heatingelement, a sleeve fixed to said knob and surrounding said element andnormally projecting forwardly of the latter, mounting and operatingmeans for said element whereby the latter may be reciprocated relativeto said sleeve to expose said element, said means comprising a rodhaving one end operatively secured to said element and the other endprojecting axially rearwardly into the interior of said knob, actuatingmeans for reciprocating said rod, said actuating means comprising a pairof opposed radially depressable buttons, said buttons including meansdefining elongate slots within the interior of said knob having theirmajor axes at an angle to each other, said slots overlying each otherwhereby a portion thereof will be in registry, said rod projectingthrough said registered portions, and spring means normally urging saidbuttons apart.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,940,463 Rintels Dec. 19, 1933 2,134,462 Powell Oct. 25, 1938 2,196,151Johnson Apr. 12, 1940 2,704,318 Jorgensen et al. Mar. 15, 1955 2,727,976Cone Dec. 20, 1955

